[David Michael]

I would be interested in hearing from Older Child Adoptees -- children who were in foster care or adopted after age one.

I was officially adopted when I was 14, however I was in foster care with the same family since I was 7. There was no counseling or training for my adoptive parents. To say the least, it was very challenging since my brother and two sisters suffered the loss of our father, the abandonment of our mother, and the abuse of our aunt. We were treated as if our life began when when were picked up.

What was your experience? Are you still close to your adoptive family?

[dazed]

Hi David Michael

I was fostered from age 2 and adopted by the same couple that fostered me at age 4. This was in England.
I am not absolutely sure if there was training, I think there may have been.
Up to about the age of 10 I think I was quite happy though my parents were quite strict and this caused problems as I grew up.
I am not particularly close to my adoptive family. I have not had much contact with them in the last 5 years, although I am happy that my adad will be coming to see me and agran about every 2 months now.

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Have you done any research or sought counselling if you think that would help?

[David Michael]

Dazed,

Thank you for replying! My point for mentioning that we did not have any counseling or that my a-parents didn't have any training was to compare the difference to now. Now it is unheard of for foster or adoptive parents not to go through proper training and home studies.

I find it fascinating that you did not have much contact with your a-parents for the past five years.